Widdop to make captaincy debut in Brisbane

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Newly installed Dragons co-captain Gareth Widdop will make his captaincy debut for the club when he leads St George Illawarra out against Wynnum Manly at Pinklands Oval, Redlands on Saturday, February 6.

Widdop is the first confirmed Dragons player who will take part in the clash rather than attending the NRL Auckland Nines with St George Illawarra to announce a further player for their trial match and the Nines each day over the course of the pre-season.

The England international expects a number of the club's new faces to also line up against Wynnum Manly and said he expects the Intrust Super Cup semi-finalists to put up a good test.

"Whilst the team is yet to be finalised, I am sure that it will be a good opportunity me to play alongside a few of the new players to our Club and for us to put into practice much of what we have been practicing throughout the pre-season," Widdop told Dragons TV.

"The pre-season trials are just around the corner and Redland Juniors and their sponsors are putting on a great game for us against the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.

"All the players know they need to put in a good performance as there is a lot of depth within the squad this season as well as competition for places."

With a strong supporter base in south-east Queensland, the Dragons will also conduct an open training session on Friday, February 5 at the Redlands Junior Rugby League Club from 3.30pm and at 7.30 meet fans and sign autographs for an hour at Wynnum Manly League Club.

The trial against Wynnum is one of two that the Dragons will play in Queensland over the course of the pre-season with a match against the Central Queensland Capras booked in at Rockhampton's Browne Park on Saturday, February 27.